John Lennon Sculpture Unveiled in San José, Costa Rica

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Ha! Just one month after I posted about how The Beatles are taking Cuba by storm (see my blog post: “Cuba discovers The Beatles… so move over Che!”), Costa Rica is following suit.

And not just following suit. San José’s city fathers have copied Havana by commissioning Cuban artist José Ramón Villa to create a sculpture of John Lennon, which was unveiled last Friday across from the Iglesia de la Soledad church, on Plaza Artigas (Calle 9 & Ave. 4).

San José Mayor Johnny Araya unveiled the $14,000 statute—a carbon-copy of Ramón Villa’s original, which occupies the southeast corner of Parque Lennon
, in Havana, Cuba. The life-size bronze figure shows Lennon cross-legged, left-arm casually draped over a bench, and the inscription “Imagine all the people living life in peace” at his feet.

Lennon remains as controversial in death as in life.

Although hundreds of fans flashing peace signs gathered to celebrate the statue’s unveiling (a fitting tribute to a peace-loving nation), religious nuts decried the sculpture because of Lennon’s 1966 statement that The Beatles were “more popular than Jesus.”

The event was given added prominence with concerts by Costa Rica’s all-girl The Beagirls and an ensemble from the San José Symphony Orchestra.

Plaza Artigas has several other sculptures of note.

For further information about travel in Costa Rica, buy Moon Costa Rica

If you're traveling only to San José and the Caribbean, buy Moon Spotlight Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast pocket guide.

If you're traveling only to the beaches of Nicoya, buy Moon Spotlight Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula pocket guide.

If you're traveling only to Arenal and/or Monteverde, buy Moon Spotlight Costa Rica's Arenal & Monteverde pocket guide.

Disclosure: I occasionally accept free or discounted travel when it coincides with my editorial goals. However, my opinion is never for sale. The opinions you see in Cuba & Costa Rica Journal are my unbiased reflection of the good, the bad, and the ugly.

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